Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas has announced an 18-month extension and redesignation of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), effective from August 4, 2024, to February 3, 2026. This decision comes in response to ongoing extraordinary and temporary conditions in Haiti, including violence, insecurity, limited access to essential services like healthcare and food, and environmental vulnerabilities such as flooding and earthquakes.
The extension allows an estimated 309,000 additional Haitian nationals to apply for TPS if they meet eligibility criteria, including having established residence in the United States by June 3, 2024. Eligible individuals can submit initial applications during the registration period from July 1, 2024, through February 3, 2026, and may also apply for Employment Authorization Documents and travel authorization.
Current TPS beneficiaries must re-register between July 1, 2024, and August 30, 2024, to maintain their status and employment authorization. USCIS will automatically extend certain existing Employment Authorization Documents through August 3, 2025, to ensure continued work authorization while applications are processed.
However, individuals who were not in the United States by June 3, 2024, are not eligible for TPS and may face removal to Haiti if they do not establish legal grounds to stay. Secretary Mayorkas emphasized that the extension aligns with the humanitarian objectives of the TPS law and the United States’ commitment to fulfilling it.
In parallel, the Department of Homeland Security continues to enforce immigration laws, including returning noncitizens who do not qualify for legal status under U.S. law, particularly those attempting unauthorized crossings. The announcement underscores the dangers of irregular migration routes, highlighting efforts to maintain border security and uphold U.S. immigration policy.
For more details on eligibility criteria and application procedures, individuals are encouraged to refer to the Federal Register Notice and USCIS.gov for comprehensive information.
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This release was originally published by the Department of Homeland Security.
